Are uniforms cool for school?

MINISTER for Education Ruairí Quinn has announced that parents are to be balloted for their opinions on school uniforms. This week we asked our Facebook followers if uniforms serve a purpose or should they be abolished? Here’s an edited selection of some of the comments we received.

Frances Mansfield: Think a school uniform is essential. Uniform means that everyone is equal at school. There is no distinction between children who can afford designer clothes and children who can only afford Penny’s. It does away with them being singled out because they can’t afford the latest trend. It thus prevents some bullying. Children have enough to cope with during their school days without having to decide what they will wear to school. It also saves time and pressure on parents in the morning if the child knows what they have to wear. The problem of expense arises because schools insist on the uniform being bought in certain shops and a school crest.

Mairead Donovan: The kids would be looking for the newest clothes out every week; no way.

Louise Tobin Higgins: Uniform is a must. I have two girls who would drive me insane if they didn’t have a uniform BUT there is no need for special school jumpers. A sew-on crest is enough. There’s a huge difference in price between high street jumpers and sew on crests.

Stacey Hogg: My son doesn’t wear a school uniform, but this year they’ve brought in a tracksuit, but it’s not compulsory. I would prefer a uniform, it’s so much handier.

Edel Boland: No, they should stay but the crest should be abolished. You should be able to buy the from chain stores. Or I think it would be a great idea if parents set up a swop shop in the school in August.

Gráinne Murphy: Uniform is essential. I have two daughters so I’d have the stress and pressure of them wearing certain clothes, not to mention the cost of daily outfits, if there was no uniform. Uniforms also take away a huge element of bullying

Sorcha Murray: Uniforms for sure. I’m from Dublin but live in Holland where there is no uniforms and it’s a nightmare.

Inge Burger: Uniform. It lends pride in the school the child goes to. I also agree wholeheartedly with iron-on or sew-on badges!

Fiona Crowley: Uniforms are a necessity in schools as it stops all the bullying of kids who are not as fortunate as others to be able to wear or afford brand name clothes. The price of uniforms should most definitely come down as some school uniforms cost an atrocious price. As for the school crest, they should do iron-on or even sew-on ones that can be reused. It’s expensive enough for parents to send their children to school as it is with books and stuff. I also think each school should do their own school bags at a reasonable price so nobody feels different if they can’t afford brand name ones.

Suzy Bevan: I think the school uniform is essential but the price of it needs to come down. Also, could schools abolish expensive trainers and introduce a very basic shoe, like a brogue?

Michael Nangle: You can buy a jumper from any high street shop and have the school name embroidered on it for about

?¬5 to

?¬10. And that includes putting the pupil’s name on it.

Ambrose O Shea: School uniforms should be scrapped but the school badge or crest should be worn on the clothes you go to school in

Darren Kinsella: About time. Why pay three or four times the price for a school jumper just because it has a crest on it?